Red, White and (Green and) Blue: FGCU’s Tollett to Coach for USA Baseball Collegiate Team
FORT MYERS, Fla. – Florida Gulf Coast University head baseball coach Dave Tollett has been named to the coaching staff for the 2025 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team, USA Baseball announced Monday afternoon.
"This is one of the biggest honors of my baseball career," Tollett said. "These are the only colors I've ever wanted to wear. I'll never forget where I was when I got the call asking me to be part of this team. It's such an honor and privilege to be able to represent my country thanks to the sport that I love."
The USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Training Camp will feature 56 of the top non-draft-eligible college players in a five-game Stars vs. Stripes intrasquad series in North Carolina from June 29 to July 3. The final Collegiate National Team roster will be announced July 3.
Tollett will serve as third base coach for the Stripes team. The Stripes staff will also lead a Collegiate National Team Prospects squad in a Fourth of July matchup against the Appalachian League Select Team in Kannapolis, North Carolina.
The only head coach in FGCU baseball history, Tollett has amassed more than 700 wins. Under his leadership, the Eagles have produced three National Player of the Year honorees: Chris Sale in 2010, Jake Noll (National Freshman of the Year) in 2014, and Evan Dempsey (John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year) in 2025. Sale, who went on to a standout MLB career, was named the 2024 National League Cy Young Award winner with the Atlanta Braves. In addition to Sale, five other Eagles who completed their collegiate careers at FGCU have reached the Major Leagues.
Seventeen Eagles have earned All-America honors during Tollett's tenure, including Dempsey in 2025, Ian Farrow in 2024, and Edrick Felix, Joe Kinker and Alejandro Figueredo in 2023. Harrison Povey and Figueredo were also recognized in 2022. FGCU has had four ASUN Players of the Year, four ASUN Pitchers of the Year and 53 MLB Draft selections.
The 2025 season may have been Tollett's finest coaching performance in his 23 years at the helm. After starting 1-7 in Atlantic Sun Conference play, the Eagles rallied to win 16 of their final 21 games, reaching Championship Sunday in the ASUN Tournament. FGCU defeated Stetson 6-5 in the first game of the day, and with the second game canceled due to rain, the Eagles were declared co-champions of the league.
Tollett will join a Stripes coaching staff led by manager Jonathan Hernandez. The staff also includes Butch Chaffin (assistant coach), Michael Choice (first base coach), Dan Hartleb (bench/hitting coach), LaTroy Hawkins (pitching coach) and Joe McGowan (bullpen coach).
Collegiate National Team Prospects/Stripes Staff:
• Johnny Hernandez - Manager
• LaTroy Hawkins - Pitching Coach
• Dan Hartleb - Bench/Hitting Coach
• Michael Choice - First Base Coach
• Dave Tollett - Third Base Coach
• Butch Chaffin - Assistant Coach
• Joe McGowan - Bullpen Catcher
Players Mentioned
- OF
- 6' 2"
- Senior
- R/R
- OF/RHP
- 6' 2"
- Sophomore
- L/R
- OF
- 6' 4"
- Senior
- L/R
Players Mentioned
- 6' 2"
- Senior
- R/R
- OF
- 6' 2"
- Sophomore
- L/R
- OF/RHP
- 6' 4"
- Senior
- L/R
- OF
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